WESTFIELD, NJ -- Mayor Andy Skibitsky proclaimed this to be Childhood Cancer Awareness Month at the Westfield Town Council Meeting held Sept. 10. The proclamation honored Westfield High School teacher and Cranford resident Kara Shields for her work with The Valerie Fund to help bolster awareness and research of childhood cancers and blood diseases.

In 2012, doctors discovered a tumor on Shields’s 4-year-old son, Will DeGregorio. A recent MRI revealed that DeGregorio’s tumor has cleared. But Shields said she knows she cannot be certain that the battle is over.

“We look forward to each and every day when he is out of the hospital and doing well,” said Shields.

According to The Valerie Fund website, the not-for-profit organization “comprise[s] the largest network of healthcare facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders in New Jersey.” There are seven centers in New Jersey, New York and in the Philadelphia area.

All but two resolutions on the agenda passed without issue. The two unsettled resolutions, which address local demolition, were deferred to the council’s next meeting due to lack of documentation.

At the council conference meeting held prior to the regular meeting, Westfield High School Senior and Boy Scout Troop 273 member Gideon Lee presented plans for his project to become an Eagle Scout. Lee, a WHS track runner, proposed to fix a root-filled trail that runs through Tamaques Park, commonly known as the “Prefontaine Trail.” Lee, who said he has tripped while running the Prefontaine, will add two signs, a mile-marker and create a map for the trail.

Recent Articles Nearby

WESTFIELD, NJ — Sherry Cronin, executive director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation, recently delivered a van load of non-perishable food to the Westfield Food Pantry thanks to the many people who donated during Downtown Westfield’s photos with Santa event over Thanksgiving weekend.

It was the 15th year for the event with Santa & Mrs. Claus of Joannie Productions, hailed as ...

BRIDGEWATER NJ — The Patriots Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored TAPinto founder and publisher Mike Shapiro on Wednesday at its 2016 Toast to Scouting Awards Dinner at the Raritan Valley Country Club. Shapiro was one of five recipients.

The Patriots Path Council, which serves Central and Northern New Jersey, presents the award to those who exemplify in their daily ...

NEWARK, NJ - Authorities announced that they have arrested Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 20, of Orange, who is suspected of the murder of Sarah Butler, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray and Montclair Police Chief Todd Conforti.

Butler, a 20-year-old Montclair resident reported missing on Nov. 23, was found dead on Dec. 1 in Eagle Rock ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — When the Westfield High School varsity football team won its second straight state championship against Bridgewater-Raritan Saturday, senior defensive tackle Jeff Gagum played a big role, with nine tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one caused fumble.

“He put the team on his back in the second half,” head coach Jim DeSarno said of this week’s ...

ELIZABETH, NJ – An off-duty Newark police officer who fatally shot a Middlesex County man outside of Paddy’s Place in May was indicted by a Union County grand jury Wednesday, according to Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park.

Joseph Macchia, 35, is charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of 37-year-old Michael Gaffney of Piscataway.